Japanese Ambassador in Bangladesh Hiroyasu Izumi Monday assured Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of his country’s continued support to Bangladesh in its efforts for economic prosperity. The Japanese envoy came up with the assurance when he met Sheikh Hasina at her official residence Ganobhaban. Briefing reporters after the meeting PM’s press secretary Ihsanul Karim said the Japanese envoy informed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that during her upcoming visit to Japan, the USD 2.5 billion 40th Official Development Assistance (ODA) agreement will be signed, which will be 35 percent higher than last year’s. He also said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is eagerly waiting to receive his Bangladeshi counterpart in Japan. Congratulating her on reelection in the last parliamentary elections, Hiroyasu Izumi said the next five years will be very much important for Bangladesh as the economy of the country will take off for further progress. The Japanese Ambassador was apprised of the progress of the coal-fired 1200 MW Matarbari Power Plant project in Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. Mentioning that Japan is a great friend of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said she is also eagerly waiting to meet Shinz? Abe. She also recalled the contributions of Japan to the economic development of the country and its to construct Rupsha Bridge during Bangabandhu’s regime after Bangladesh’s independence. Principal Secretary M Nojibur Rahman, Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs of Prime Minister’s office Md Abul Kalam Azad and PMO Secretary Sajjadul Hassan were present during the meeting. -UNB
